38. Several representatives welcomed the reference to the mutual responsibility of men and women to sustain and support family life, practically as well as financially. One representative recognized the unequal sharing of family responsibilities as a specific critical area of concern affecting women’s participation in all spheres of life. Another representative suggested recognizing that different types of families were an expression of the transformation of society. It was stated that the International Year of the Family, proclaimed for 1994, should accelerate its efforts to encourage women and men to combine family and work responsibilities in a more balanced manner. 39. Several representatives stated that the section on strategic objectives needed further elaboration and strengthening. Too rigid divisions of responsibility among Governments, non-governmental organizations and the United Nations should be avoided. Greater correlation between the sections on critical areas of concern and on strategic objectives would add to the overall coherence of the Platform for Action. Representatives of specialized agencies suggested that it could be enhanced by a concise statement setting forth the strategic nature of each objective, time-bound targets and the establishment of incentives and support measures for their attainment. Concerted action should be based on the regional conferences and other preparatory activities. 40. Some representatives emphasized that efficient financial arrangements needed to be provided and sufficient financial and human resources mobilized. They urged international financial institutions and the private sector to make contributions. The cost of all future action should be determined, and allocations for mainstream action needed to specify the resources devoted to the improvement of the situation of women. 41. With regard to institutional arrangements, one representative suggested that the strengthening of national machinery should be dealt with in its own right as a logical outcome of the critical areas of concern. Some of the characteristics of an efficient national machinery, such as clear identity, political support from the highest level and a cross-cutting and interdisciplinary mandate, mobilization and maintenance of adequate financial and human resources, collection of relevant information on policy-making processes and liaison with focal points in all relevant departments and agencies, could be applied at the international level. It was suggested that the role and place of the Commission on the Status of Women, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Division for the Advancement of Women and other relevant United Nations units should be reconsidered. The first step could be an expert group meeting on the subject. Another representative stated that it might be useful to evaluate the efficiency of exercises such as the United Nations system-wide medium-term plan and the establishment of focal points for women. Other representatives proposed enhancing the role of the United Nations in promoting strategies for the advancement of women and improving the coordination of activities and programmes within the United Nations, including reinforcement of the Division for the Advancement of Women. 42. Representatives of specialized agencies suggested establishing a core structure concerned with coordinating, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Platform for Action required at the international, regional and national levels. At the international level, a comprehensive and open dialogue and a record of experience between multilateral and bilateral organizations and representatives of civil society should be an integral part of the institutional arrangements. -89-